MATCH REPORT – SALFORD RED DEVILS 6-26 WIGAN WARRIORS (ROUND 12)

Salford Red Devils showed plenty of spirit in tough conditions but were beaten by world champions Wigan Warriors this afternoon.

With Amir Bourouh and Cade Cust both out through injury, Joe Shorrocks operated at hooker, with Shane Wright deputizing for Jack Ormondroyd at prop.

Mistakes abounded in the first ten minutes, Salford being forced onto their own try line by the strong running of Junior Nsemba and Luke Thompson.

The Warriors were first on the board when Miski created a gap in the Salford line to race full-back Ryan Brierley.

He flicked a pass back inside to Wigan’s number three, Adam Keighran, who finished the job.

One quickly became two when another quick Wigan move opened up the Salford defence. Nsemba was the man to drive a hard line for the Warriors and set up Sneyd to score the try.

Marc Sneyd was shown a green card after receiving treatment in the back game and with Salford down by 12 for two minutes, the visitors struck again.

Warriors Brad O’Neill made a strong run and burst through the Salford defense to score despite Brierley’s best efforts to hold him up.

A positive moment for Salford in the first half came through Kallum Watkins who ran a fantastic line to break in but an expert scramble defense held up the skipper.

A second chance came when Nene Macdonald jumped from false-half to crash down, but the video referee upheld the no-try decision.

Going into half-time 18 points down, Salford needed a positive start to the second forty – and they did just that.

The Salford faithful sensed an opportunity was waiting on the horizon after Gil Dudson took a powerful run just five yards out.

Some quick reactions from Joe Mellor gave Ollie Partington the opportunity to exploit a gap to exploit and he cut straight through the Wigan defense to reduce the deficit.

A period of Salford pressure followed but a high tackle by Mellor allowed Keighran to add the two points.

The torrential conditions caused the ball to slide and French took advantage of a tired Salford defense to power through and seal a Warriors victory.

Next up for Rowley’s side is the visit of London Broncos on Sunday afternoon.

MATCH FACTS:

Salford Lineup: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross, Chris Atkin, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Joe Shorrocks, Shane Wright, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Ollie Partington.

Exchanges: Chris Hankinson, Joe Mellor, Matty Foster, Gil Dudson.

Try: Ollie Partington

Conversions: Mark Sneyd (1/1)

Wigan Warriors Squad: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Brad O’Neill, Mike Cooper, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Ethan Havard.

Exchanges: Tyler Dupree, Patrick Mago, Harvie Hill, Kruise Leeming

Try: Abbas Miski, Junior Nsemba, Brad O’Neill, Bevan French.

Conversions: Adam Keighran (5/5)

VAT: 0-18

Photo credit: Steve McCormick and James Giblin